With new coach JJ Redick at the helm, the Lakers’ draft strategy beginning to take shape

JJ Redick, right, shares a stage with Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, left, after being introduced as the the new head coach of the Lakers on Monday, June 24, 2024, in El Segundo, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

The Los Angeles Lakers introduced JJ Redick as the franchise’s newest head coach Monday afternoon. Redick spent the weekend connecting with players up and down the Lakers’ roster over the phone, league sources told Yahoo Sports, explaining his vision for some of their specific roles. Redick left various players and their representatives with the impression the first-time head coach is going to value positional versatility, 3-point shooting and playmaking for lineups that can optimize LeBron James off the ball, sources said.

As the Lakers embark on the rest of a critical offseason, the idea of Los Angeles targeting centers to slot next to Anthony Davis has once again circulated among league personnel. There have since been several centers linked to the Lakers at No. 17 in Wednesday’s NBA Draft, most recently Baylor freshman Yves Missi as well as Indiana sophomore Ke’lel Ware. Pelicans center Jonas Valančiūnas, who’s approaching unrestricted free agency, has been another big man often mentioned by NBA figures as a potential Lakers frontcourt addition this summer.

Los Angeles has also made that No. 17 selection available via trade, sources said, as the Lakers have evaluated the market for a significant contributor alongside James and Davis. The Lakers, remember, held serious talks with Atlanta about acquiring Dejounte Murray in the lead-up to February’s trade deadline. Jerami Grant, a client of Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, is believed to be another potential addition on the Lakers’ wishlist, according to league sources.

There remains a simpler scenario in which the Lakers move down from the No. 17 pick. The New York Knicks and Utah Jazz have made advances about combining their last first-round pick and second-round draft capital to slide up into the teens of this draft, rival executives told Yahoo Sports. Would Utah’s Nos. 29 and 32 picks be enough to entice the Lakers…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-06-24 23:28:50

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